Reference-based genome assembly and comparative genomics of Calamus Brandisii Becc. for unveiling sex-specific genes for early gender detection.

Calamus brandisii Becc. is an endangered rattan species indigenous to the Western Ghats of India and used in the furniture and handicraft industries. However, its dioecious nature and longer flowering time pose challenges for conservation efforts.

Gender specific SNP markers in Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. for resource augmentation.

Background: Unregulated extraction of highly traded medicinal plant species results in drastic decline of the natural resources and alters viable sex ratio of populations. Conservation and long-term survival of such species, require gender specific restoration programs to ensure reproductive success. However, it is often difficult to differentiate sex of individuals before reaching reproductive maturity.

Artificial intelligence in timber forensics employing DNA barcode database.

Unlabelled: Extreme difficulties in species identification of illegally sourced wood with conventional tools have accelerated illicit logging activities, leading to the destruction of natural resources in India. In this regard, the study primarily focused on developing a DNA barcode database for 41 commercial timber tree species which are highly vulnerable to adulteration in south India. The developed DNA barcode database was validated using an integrated approach involving wood anatomical features of traded wood samples collected from south India.

Quantification of adulteration in traded ayurvedic raw drugs employing machine learning approaches with DNA barcode database.

Unlabelled: Adulteration of expensive raw drugs with inferior taxa has become a routine practice, conceding the quality and safety of derived herbal products. In this regard, the study addresses the development of an integrated approach encompassing DNA barcode and HPTLC fingerprinting to authenticate chiefly traded ayurvedic raw drugs in south India [viz. (Roxb.

Draft genome of Korthalsia laciniosa (Griff.) Mart., a climbing rattan elucidates its phylogenetic position.

Korthalsia laciniosa (Griff.) Mart. is a climbing rattan used as a source of durable and flexible cane.

The efficacy of machine learning algorithm for raw drug authentication in (Gaertn.) Colebr. employing a DNA barcode database.

Medicinal plants are a valuable resource for traditional as well as modern medicine. Consequently huge demand has exerted a heavy strain on the existing natural resources. Due to over exploitation and unscientific collection most of the commercially traded ayurvedic plants are in the phase of depletion.

Exploring prevalence of potential pathogens and fecal indicators in geographically distinct river systems through comparative metagenomics.

Microbial communities are considered as vital members to reflect the health of a riverine system. Among them, pathogenic and fecal indicators imply health risks involved with potability of river water. The present study explores the diverse microbial communities, distribution pattern of potential pathogens, and fecal indicators between the geographically distinct Himalayan and Peninsular river systems of India.

Pitfalls and promises of raw drug identification techniques in the ayurvedic industry: an overview.

India, with a rich heritage of floral diversity, is well-known for its medicinal plant wealth and is the largest producer of medicinal herbs in the world. Ethnobiological Survey of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) could identify 8000 plant species utilized in various systems of medicine with approximately 25,000 effective herbal formulations. The extensive consumption to meet demand-supply ratio exerts a heavy strain on the existing resources.

The low copy nuclear region, RPB2 as a novel DNA barcode region for species identification in the rattan genus (Arecaceae).

Taxonomic complexities, like environmental plasticity and homoplasy, make precise identification challenging in , the genus of spiny climbing palms of the subfamily Calamoideae (Arecaceae). In the present study, the species discriminatory power of twelve potential DNA barcode regions (L, K, A-H, CBK-IF-H, Z-M, ITS1, ITS2, PRK, and RPB2) were evaluated in 21 species of from the Western Ghats region of India, using distance, tree, and similarity based statistical methods. Except for the low copy nuclear region, RPB2, none of the tested plastid loci or nuclear loci ITS, either singly or in combinations, could discriminate all the species of due to low substitution rate of plastid regions and multiple copies of ITS respectively.

DNA barcoding supports existence of morphospecies complex in endemic bamboo genus Thwaites of the Western Ghats, India.

Thwaites, an economically exploited bamboo genus of the Western Ghats of India is severely affected by unsustainable extraction, natural habitat destruction and endangerment of species resources. This taxonomically challenging genus consists of a genetic mixture of 10 related polyploid species that are difficult to define and classify using traditional morphology. The present study investigated the probability of DNA barcoding using seven standard barcode regions recommended by CBOL as a supplementary tool to define true species boundaries.

DNA barcoding as a valuable molecular tool for the certification of planting materials in bamboo.

DNA barcodes developed for selected commercially important bamboo species can be utilized for the certification of planting stock in bamboo nurseries in absence of discriminatory features at the juvenile stage. Planting materials such as micropropagated plantlets, rhizome transplants and culm cuttings, generated at nursery level are directly procured for establishment of commercial plantations without any further verification Very often misidentification and mixing up occur at nursery level and the error is not discovered until several years have passed. The present study evaluated the potentiality of seven Consortium for Barcode of Life (CBOL) recommended standard DNA barcode regions in commercially important bamboo species of India.

Narrow gene pool can threaten the survival of R. R. Fernald & Dey: a highly, endemic dioecious rattan species in the Western Ghats of India.

Rattans, the spiny climbing palms of Arecaceae (Palmae) family exhibit high endemism to the biodiversity hot spots in India. Of the five rattan genera, is the only genus found in peninsular India with 15 of 21 species, endemic to the Western Ghats. The extensive utilization of rattans owing to their strength, durability and huge demand has resulted in depletion of their natural resources.

Draft genome of a high value tropical timber tree, Teak (Tectona grandis L. f): insights into SSR diversity, phylogeny and conservation.

Teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) is one of the precious bench mark tropical hardwood having qualities of durability, strength and visual pleasantries.

Metagenomic Exploration of Microbial Signatures on Periyar River Sediments from the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats.

We report here targeted deep-sequencing metagenomic data that reveal a high level of diversity in the microbiota residing in the sediment of the Periyar River in a reserve forest of the Western Ghats. Of the 4,674 operational taxonomic units discovered, the dominant phyla represented were (33.12%), (14.

Identification and Characterization of Lipopeptides from Bacillus subtilis B1 Against Sapstain Fungus of Rubberwood Through MALDI-TOF-MS and RT-PCR.

Bacillus subtilis is a potent biocontrol agent producing a wide array of antifungal lipopeptides for the inhibition of fungal growth. B. subtilis B1 isolated from market-available compost provided an efficient control of rubberwood sapstain fungus, Lasiodiplodia theobromae.

Screening of bacterial biocontrols against sapstain fungus (Lasiodiplodia theobromae Pat.) of rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.Arg.).

Diverse bacterial biocontrol agents from various sources of aerobic composts against the sapstain fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae in rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) were isolated, screened and identified by various morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques. The inhibitory effect of seventeen bacterial isolates was examined and seven exhibited inhibition towards the sapstain fungus. Among the seven antagonists, six were conclusively identified as Bacillus subtilis and one as Paenibacillus polymyxa using 16S rRNA-encoding gene sequencing.